A wedding photographer is going to be a significant expense at your wedding no matter what. Getting a good one is more than worth it as the pictures will last long after the wedding cake is eaten and the reception guests have left. Still, there are some smart ways to decrease the financial onus that many brides feel when consulting with the photographer. Here are 5 of the best ways to save:

Tip 5: Skip the engagement photos.
Some photographers offer engagement photos for free if you buy their services. If you can bargain with them, tell them that you want to skip the engagement photos and just get the wedding photos instead at a discount.

Tip 4: Keep it short.
Only hire the wedding photographer for the ceremony, for a few formal family shots and the first hour or so of the reception. For more coverage of the reception, just have your friends take pictures with disposable cameras. It will save you a lot of money and you’ll get a great mix of professional and impromptu shots.

Tip 3: Research, research, research.
When you meet the right photographer, you’ll know. But to get to that meeting you’ll have to do a lot of research first. Luckily TheGoodWedding.com makes it much simpler to find a qualified wedding photographer within your taste and budget, but you should still meet with at least 3 to 4 before you make a decision. Find someone you’re comfortable with, like their past work and is willing to give you their total package cost up-front, so you’re not surprised after the reception.

Tip 2: Skip the album services.
Leather albums are pricey and pretty outdated at this point. Just skip ordering the album, get the digital copies of your photos (see #1 below) and make your own albums online. This way you save money now and have the option to make different albums down the line as your tastes change. You’re not stuck with the one and only option you choose today. Much less stressful and one less wedding planning decision to make. Win-win.

Tip 1: Go digital (No prints!)
Digital photography is less costly than film, and with technological advances in equipment digital images are no longer a sacrifice in quality. Actually, many digital photographs look better than film. With digital, you can get the original files and keep them on your computer forever. They’ll never fade or rip. You can re-touch or re-print them any way you like as many times as you like. Even better, for digital photographs you don’t have to pay sales tax! In California, this is a sizeable savings.

For a full step-by-step guide on wedding savings, please read our blog series:
How to Plan (and save on) your Wedding in 5 steps

Plan a good wedding. Start a good life.
This post was written by TheGoodWedding.com | Los Angeles Wedding Planning Directory
 

Your wedding reception is by far your biggest wedding expense and will largely decide your final budget. Luckily, there are ways to save some big bucks on your LA wedding reception with just a few simple tips. Here are the best ways to save:

Tip 5: Trim your guest list.
Most venues charge per guest for everything (the reception rental, food, drinks, etc). So every additional person you invite costs you exponentially more. Trimming the guest list can save you anywhere from $50 – $200+ per person. So just ask yourself “Do I like this person enough to buy them a $100 dinner?” and that should help you trim the list down quickly!

Tip 4: Have your Ceremony and Reception at the same place.
This is a must. First it will cut out transportation costs of getting you, your family and guests from the ceremony to the reception. Second, the day will flow much better without a two hour motor transition. Finally, you’ll save a lot with the venue if you book a whole wedding package instead of booking a la carte.

Tip 3: Choose a beautiful venue that is its own decoration.
Decorations and rentals are an expensive and unnecessary part of your wedding budget. If you choose a reception with its own ambiance, like a golf country club, a yacht, a vineyard or any of our stunning venues recommended on our LA wedding venues directory, most can stand on their own without additional ornamentation. You will save both money and preparation time by cutting out this step.

Tip 2: Research for online discounts.
Sometimes, a venue will have a discount that can only be found on their Twitter feed, their Facebook page or on their website. First Google the venue name and the word “discounts” to see what they offer online. Then follow up with a call to their event manager and tell them you found their venue on TheGoodWedding.com and what the best deals are now GoodWedding brides. If you have any questions or problems, please email us and we’d be happy to contact the venue for you.

Tip 1: Prioritize.
What’s more important to you: the location, the guest list or the date? Each of these will be a compromise for your budget. The nicer the location, the bigger the guest list and the more competitive the date the more you’ll spend. But the more flexible you can be, the more you’ll save. Pick a less expensive but more inclusive location, cut down your guest list and pick an off-season, non weekend date.

For a full step-by-step guide on wedding savings, please read our blog series:
How to Plan (and save on) your Wedding in 5 steps

Plan a good wedding. Start a good life.
This post was written by TheGoodWedding.com | Los Angeles Wedding Planning Directory